A little over a year ago, a four-year old boy was admitted to a Minnesota hospital with what doctors believed was viral gastroenteritis. Jarnell Brown was treated and released, but re-admitted two days later. Suffering from vomiting and dehydration, Jarnell went into respiratory arrest. He was resuscitated, put on a ventilator, and eventually placed on life support. Before Jarnell Brown died, tests revealed a foreign object in his stomach and a blood-lead level 18 times higher than the threshold amount for lead poisoning in children. During the autopsy, doctors removed a heart-shaped charm from his stomach. It had been a free gift with a purchase of Reebok shoes.
During the last few years, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a steady stream of recalls for toys and jewelry that contain lead. In 2004 alone, the CPSC recalled 150 million pieces of jewelry sold from vending machines and so-called "dollar stores". That number fell to 2 million pieces last year, but even big-box stores such as Kmart, Wal-Mart, Big Lots, and Toys 'R Us have sold recalled products. Just last month, the CPSC recalled not only children's bracelets, necklaces, and rings, but also a boy's jacket with snaps that contained too much lead. Just yesterday, the CSPC recalled over 2,500 2-sided easels with a chalkboard that is decorated with lead paint.
For children under six years of age, there is no "safe" level of lead exposure. On average, these youngsters will absorb and retain about 50% of the lead that they ingest. More than 10 years ago, the National Academy of Sciences wrote that "There is growing evidence that even very small exposures to lead can produce subtle effects in humans". Even at low levels of exposure, lead poisoning can result in IQ deficits, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, delayed growth, and impaired hearing. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), lead poisoning has even been linked to increased rates of truancy, criminal behavior, and juvenile delinquency.
Today, the CSPC is considering a ban on children's jewelry that contains more than .06 % of total lead. In January, the agency issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) and began soliciting comments about the potential ban. In the meantime, parents must know how to recognize toxic toys and toxic trinkets. The Sierra Club provides some helpful information, as does an article by Dr. Roland Chamblee in today's South Bend Tribune. There's also some good information on the WTEN website in Albany, NY.
Steve Melito - The Y Files
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